John Otis
Stories
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Colombia's FARC Rebels Laid Down Their Weapons, But A Growing Number Are Being Killed
FARC guerrillas agreed to disarm in a 2016 peace deal, and Colombia's government promised to protect them. But in the years since, nearly 200 former FARC rebels have been attacked and killed.
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Colombia's Former Prison Island Gorgona Is Open For Tourists — And Snakes
Nature has taken over this onetime penal colony turned national park, surrounded by waters popular with divers for their sharks, rays and whales. A resort manager calls it a "mini-Galápagos."
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Colombian Former Penal Colony Now Taking Tourists
The guerrilla war is over in Colombia and that's opening up some formerly off-limits places for tourism, including an island that formerly housed a penal colony.
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3 Killed In Bombing At Colombia Police Station
Unrest continues in Colombia as thousands protest the government. A bomb exploded Friday night at a police station, killing three.
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Bolivia Is Fighting Major Forest Fires Nearly As Large As In Brazil
Firefighters, troops and volunteers have been working for the past two months to put out some of the worst blazes in the country's recent history.
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Colombia Is Turning Into A Major Medical Marijuana Producer
The country wants to shake its image as an illicit narco nation. Now it's already home to more than two dozen legit cannabis companies, with exports to Canada and the U.K.
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Colombia's FARC Rebel Group Announces Plans To Re-Arm 3 Years After Peace Deal
A faction of Colombia's FARC rebel group announced they plan to re-arm, three years after signing a peace agreement with the government. They accuse of the government of failing to follow through.
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Economic Crisis Rattles Venezuelan Cattle Ranchers
Power outages, increased crime and gasoline shortages are hurting Venezuela's once-vaunted cattle industry. Herds have been halved and meat production is down by more than 60 percent.
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In One Venezuelan City, People Have Found Low-Cost Entertainment — In A Barbershop
When the going gets tough and entertainment becomes too pricey to afford, Venezuelans go to the barbershop. They are entertained by a singing barber and musicians who gather to create great sound.
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Many Venezuelans Can No Longer Afford Beer, So They're Drinking Cheap Agave Liquor
Cocuy was once stigmatized as moonshine, but with hyperinflation putting other drinks out of reach, many Venezuelans have turned to this cheap form of alcohol. It tastes similar to tequila and mezcal.
